From kennel cough and asthma to heart-related coughing and brachycephalic syndrome, we diagnose respiratory problems with proper imaging and start the right treatment quickly — before things escalate.
Coughing, wheezing or breathing changes always deserve attention. Some respiratory problems — like kennel cough — are uncomfortable but self-limiting. Others — like heart failure, lungworm, asthma, or pleural effusion — need rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious deterioration. Don’t guess; ring us.
Common respiratory conditions in pets
Kennel cough (canine infectious respiratory disease)
A highly contagious infection causing a harsh, hacking cough — often described as “something stuck in the throat.” Picked up at kennels, daycare, training classes, parks or anywhere dogs gather. Most healthy adult dogs recover within 1–2 weeks with rest, but some need antibiotics or anti-inflammatories — particularly puppies, older dogs, and brachycephalic breeds. Vaccination significantly reduces severity, and is required for entry to most kennels and our own Yorkshire Paws & Co.
Lungworm (Angiostrongylus vasorum)
An increasingly common parasitic infection caught from eating slugs and snails (often inadvertently, on grass or toys). Lungworm causes coughing, breathing difficulty, lethargy, bleeding disorders and neurological signs. Untreated it can be fatal. Most regular monthly worming products don’t cover lungworm; we’ll prescribe one that does where the risk warrants it.
Feline asthma
A chronic inflammatory airway condition affecting roughly 1–5% of cats. Signs include coughing (often mistaken for “trying to bring up a hairball”), wheezing, breathing difficulty after exercise, and the classic crouched-low-with-extended-neck posture. Diagnosis requires X-rays and sometimes airway sampling. Most asthmatic cats do extremely well with inhalers (yes, cats can use inhalers via a special spacer) and oral medication.
Heart-related coughing
One of the most common causes of cough in older small-breed dogs. As mitral valve disease progresses, fluid backs up into the lungs, triggering a characteristic soft, persistent cough — often worse at night. Heart-related coughing is a red flag that needs cardiac investigation. See our heart problems page for more information.
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS)
Flat-faced breeds — French Bulldogs, Pugs, English Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Persian cats — are prone to anatomical airway problems including narrow nostrils, elongated soft palates and everted laryngeal saccules. Signs include snoring, snorting, exercise intolerance, and difficulty breathing in heat. Surgical correction (BOAS surgery) significantly improves quality of life for affected pets — and is something we’ll always discuss honestly during health checks.
Pneumonia
Bacterial, viral, fungal or aspiration pneumonia all cause cough, fever, lethargy and breathing difficulty. Diagnosed with chest X-rays, bloods and sometimes airway sampling. Most cases respond well to appropriate treatment.
Cat flu (feline upper respiratory tract infection)
Common in unvaccinated cats and kittens, caused by herpesvirus and calicivirus. Causes sneezing, runny nose, eye discharge, mouth ulcers, and reduced appetite. Most cats recover but may carry the virus lifelong, with intermittent flare-ups during stress.
Reverse sneezing
That alarming honking, gasping noise some dogs make — usually when excited or after eating. It looks dramatic but is almost always harmless. We can confirm and reassure you, and rule out anything more concerning.
Signs of respiratory problems
Breathing difficulty is always urgent
Phone us straight away on 0113 868 6100 — or go directly to emergency care — if your pet shows:
- Severe difficulty breathing or laboured breathing at rest
- Open-mouth breathing in a cat (always serious in cats)
- Blue or grey gums or tongue (cyanosis)
- Sudden collapse or weakness with breathing changes
- Choking or visible obstruction
- Coughing up blood or pink frothy fluid
- Heatstroke signs in a flat-faced breed (panting, extreme distress, drooling)
Out of hours? Contact Vets Now Bradford on 01274 722721 (515 Bradford Road, BD3 7BA) immediately.
How we diagnose respiratory problems
The first step is always a thorough clinical examination — auscultation of the chest, observation of breathing pattern and effort, examination of the throat and nasal passages. Most cases need imaging to confirm the diagnosis.
Chest X-rays
The single most useful imaging test for respiratory problems — identifies pneumonia, heart failure, masses, asthma changes and foreign material. Available on-site.
Cardiac ultrasound
To distinguish heart-related cough from primary respiratory disease — essential in older small-breed dogs with persistent cough.
Lungworm testing
Rapid in-house antigen tests and faecal sampling identify lungworm infection in dogs with unexplained respiratory signs.
Pulse oximetry
Non-invasive measurement of blood oxygen levels — helps assess severity in distressed patients.
Bloods
Full haematology and biochemistry to identify infection, inflammation, allergic disease markers and overall organ function.
Specialist referral
For complex cases needing CT, bronchoscopy or airway sampling, we work with trusted referral practices and stay involved throughout.
Treatment & long-term management
Treatment depends entirely on the cause. Kennel cough usually resolves with rest and supportive care. Bacterial pneumonia needs antibiotics. Lungworm needs targeted parasite treatment. Asthma in cats needs inhaled and oral medication. Heart-related cough needs cardiac medications. BOAS in flat-faced breeds may need surgical correction.
For chronic respiratory conditions, regular monitoring is essential. Cats with asthma, dogs with collapsing trachea or heart-related cough, and pets recovering from pneumonia all benefit from a structured re-check schedule. Companion Plan members get free consultations plus 20% off the medications that ongoing management involves.
Transparent pricing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard Consultation (15 min) | £39 |
| Extended / Emergency Respiratory Consultation | £60 |
| Chest X-rays (up to 5 views) | £400 |
| Cardiac Ultrasound | £250 |
| Kennel Cough Vaccine (with annual booster) | £30 |
| Kennel Cough Vaccine (alone) | £40 |
Petplan direct claims supported. Companion Plan members receive consultations included plus 20% off medications.
Asthma. Heart cough. Spread the cost.
Pets with chronic respiratory conditions need ongoing medication and regular monitoring. Companion Plan members get free consultations plus 20% off medications — meaningful savings for pets on lifelong treatment.
Frequently asked questions
My dog has a hacking cough — could it be kennel cough?
Quite possibly — particularly if they’ve been around other dogs in the last 1–2 weeks. Most cases resolve in 1–2 weeks, but it’s worth a consultation to rule out anything more serious and assess whether antibiotics or anti-inflammatories would help. Keep your dog away from other dogs while symptomatic.
My cat is making a strange wheezing noise — should I be worried?
Yes — cats often hide respiratory problems until they’re significant. Wheezing, coughing, or open-mouth breathing in a cat always warrants a same-day or next-day consultation. Asthma is common in cats and very treatable when identified.
How do I know if my flat-faced dog needs BOAS surgery?
Signs include heavy snoring, snorting when excited, exercise intolerance, struggling in heat, sleeping in unusual positions to breathe better, and gagging up phlegm. We’ll examine and discuss honestly — not every flat-faced dog needs surgery, but those that do get a real quality-of-life improvement.
Can I give my dog cough medicine?
Most human cough medicines are not safe for dogs — many contain ingredients (xylitol, paracetamol) that are toxic. Please don’t. We can prescribe pet-safe cough suppressants or, more often, treat the underlying cause directly.
Should my dog have the kennel cough vaccine?
Strongly recommended if your dog goes to kennels, daycare, training classes, dog shows, or any environment where dogs gather. Required for boarding at our own Yorkshire Paws & Co and most reputable kennels. The vaccine takes 7 days to take effect, so plan ahead.
Why does my dog reverse-sneeze?
Reverse sneezing — that loud, snorting, honking noise — is usually triggered by excitement, dust, allergens or postnasal drip. It looks alarming but is almost always harmless. If it’s happening frequently or your dog seems distressed, we’ll examine and reassure you.
Worried about your pet’s breathing?
Same-day appointments. On-site X-ray. Honest advice when something needs urgent attention.